If the Sun Devils can maintain those numbers across the roster, they will have a chance of moving up to 6-3 in the Pac-12 conference.

Keys to Victory:

1. Bachynski staying out of foul trouble

In the last two games Jordan Bachynski has gotten himself into foul trouble early on, picking up two fouls less than two minutes in against Cal and eventually fouling out. In order for the 7-foot-2 big-man to be a rebounding factor and a defensive threat to the Cardinal he needs to give Sendek the option of keeping him on the floor for as much of those 60 minutes as possible.

2. Bench Production:

As Sendek always puts it, this win has to truly be a team effort. All facets of this team are going to have to be exhausted in this game, including bench production: namely, Bo Barnes and Jonathan Gilling. Whenever these men come into the game, their hustle and production rejuvenate this Sun Devil team, shifting the momentum to the positive.

3. Turnovers:

This is always a key to any Sun Devil win because it is arguably their biggest problem currently. ASU needs to make better passes and take smarter shots in order to avoid sabotaging their own efforts. When a game comes down to the wire, as exemplified in both teams’ previous matchups, points off a turnovers can be the deciding factor as to who goes home with the win

Matchup to Watch: Chasson Randle vs. Jahii Carson

Both are guards and lead their team in points, averaging 18-19 points a game. Randle clearly has the height advantage, coming in at 6-foot-2 as apposed to Carson’s 5-foot-10 frame. However, it is the hoop-driving, devious-maneuvering, keen play-making abilities of these team leaders that will make the difference.

You can contact this author via email at kvicario@asu.edu or on twitter at KristinaV_18.

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